Drought-Tolerant Grass - San Antonio Water System

Drought-tolerant varieties are required for new development

Conservation ordinance requires residential and commercial builders to install turf grass from an approved list of drought-tolerant varieties for newly constructed homes or businesses.

These approved grass varieties were chosen for their ability to survive with very little or no water for extended periods:

Bermuda

Varieties	Characteristics
Celebration Common Bermuda GN1 Grimes EXP Tex Turf TifSport Tifway 419	Requires full sun Extremely tolerant to traffic Responds quickly to watering after drought Requires frequent mowing to maintain its appearance Frequently goes dormant during the winter

Buffalo Grass

Varieties	Characteristics
Currently, all varieties are approved	Requires full sun Does NOT tolerate traffic well Requires little, if any, water or fertilizer after establishment Must be mowed very high, five inches or more, or not at all

St. Augustine Grass

Varieties	Characteristics
Floratam	Prefers dappled shade Does NOT tolerate traffic well Remains green throughout the winter Susceptible to fungal diseases if excessively watered during the winter

Zoysia Grass

Varieties	Characteristics
El Toro Empire Jamur Palisades	Tolerates both sun and shade Tolerates foot traffic Different cultivars have different drought tolerances Growth is slow as compared to Bermuda and St. Augustine

For more information on the city’s conservation ordinance, or details specifically about turf grasses, please call us at 210-704-SAVE.